Bites Near the Sights: Where to Eat Near America's Tourist Attractions

You're on the road with the family. You're hungry, and you need to refuel. Where do you go? A tourist trap won't satisfy. Nor will a fast-food joint. Take a look at this list of favorite bites near the sights to answer the call for good food when hunger strikes while you're visiting the country's main attractions.

Bites from Sea to Shining Sea

Bites from Sea to Shining Sea

What's worse than getting lost on vacation? Getting lost on an empty stomach. To keep your energy in full swing — and make sure the family stays happy — head to the places that offer the best food near the country's most famous sights. Road trip, anyone?

Los Angeles, CA: Hollywood Sign

Los Angeles, CA: Hollywood Sign

Why You Should Visit: From virtually any vantage point in Los Angeles, you can spot the iconic sign of tinsel town. What you might not know is that when the sign was first erected in 1923, it read, "Hollywoodland." It was not referring to the land where silver screen stars were made; it served as an advertisement for a nearby housing development. At the time, each letter was a whopping 30 feet high, 50 feet wide, and studded with lightbulbs, which flashed on and off. In 1949, the "land" was lost to reflect the cinematic city. Sadly, over time weather and accidents caused the sign to deteriorate. In 1978, heavy metal rocker Alice Cooper started a campaign to save the historic landmark. The newly restored version was officially unveiled in November of that year. The current letters are still large, each hitting 45 feet tall and roughly 35 feet wide. To snag a postcard-like pic for your Facebook friends, head to the Griffith Park Observatory, where you can get the best view of Mount Lee's top attraction. Hooray for Hollywood!